Chloe Zhang
Plastic is everywhere, and it is killing us. The production and destruction of plastics produce particles and gases that contribute to climate change, and plastic waste releases greenhouse gases as it breaks down. Plastic pollution has contaminated ecosystems worldwide, and an estimated 8.3 billion tons of plastic waste has been generated, with three-quarters of it currently sitting in landfills and oceans. The health impacts of plastic consumption are far-reaching and include cancers, lung disease, birth defects, and developmental issues. Evidence suggests that microplastics, which are particles smaller than 5mm that slough off plastic as it degrades, are harmful to human health. They have been found in human breast milk and infant stools, and studies in mice have shown that they can cause cognitive decline, hematotoxicity, and reduced fertility. The presence of plastic in the human bloodstream has also been linked to a decrease in white blood cells and the inhibition of bone marrow cell development. While the extent of the impact of microplastics on human health is still unknown, the available evidence is concerning and warrants further investigation and regulation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Microplastics found in | Human breast milk, meconium, air pollution, workplace exposure to plastic dust, marine life, food and beverages, etc. |
| Health issues | Cancers, lung disease, birth defects, reproductive issues, endocrine-related issues, DNA damage, etc. |
| Plastic types | PVC or polyvinyl chloride, BPA, phthalates, PFAS, etc. |
| Plastic production issues | Gases released during production and destruction contribute to climate change, plastic waste, and toxic exposures for workers and communities. |
| Plastic disposal issues | Burning plastic creates toxic smoke and contributes to soil and air pollution. |
| Plastic health research gaps | Lack of characterization of plastic particles smaller than 10 μm, difficulty estimating accumulation in human tissues, and limited medical research on direct health effects. |
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What You'll Learn
Microplastics in the human body
The presence of microplastics in the human body is a growing concern for scientists and clinicians. Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 millimetres that are generated as plastic degrades. They have been found in human blood, lungs, spleen, placenta, and feces. They can enter the human body primarily through the digestive tract, respiratory tract, or damaged skin and accumulate in various tissues and organs by crossing biological membrane barriers.
The exact entry routes of microplastics into the human body are still being studied, but atmospheric inhalation and ingestion through food and water are believed to be the primary routes of exposure. Seafood is the most commonly tested type of food for microplastics, as filter-feeding bivalves, shrimp, squid, and crabs can absorb microplastics by filtering seawater. A 2017 study found that people who regularly consume mussels may ingest up to 11,000 plastic particles per year.
Microplastics have also been detected in drinking water and beverages, with studies reporting their presence in a wide range of densities, types, shapes, and sizes. They can further accumulate in the human body by absorbing and retaining environmental contaminants, acting as vectors of bodily contaminants. This is particularly concerning as microplastics have been shown to cause damage to human cells, including allergic reactions, cell death, and DNA damage, which is a known risk factor for cancer development.
The impact of microplastics on human health is not yet fully understood, and there is a lack of large-scale epidemiological studies to assess their effects on a population level. However, the World Health Organization has emphasised the need for urgent research and regulation in this area. The accumulation of microplastics in human tissues and their potential genotoxicity, mutagenicity, and impact on cancer development are areas of active investigation.
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Plastic production and climate change
Plastic production is closely linked to the petrochemical industry, with 99% of plastics created from fossil fuel feedstocks. As a result, plastic production is tightly connected to the fossil fuel industry, which is a significant contributor to climate change. The extraction, refining, and manufacture of plastics are all carbon-intensive activities that emit greenhouse gases (GHGs) throughout the plastic's life cycle. In 2015, CO2 and other GHG emissions from plastic production reached 1.96 Gt of CO2e, costing $341 billion annually.
The climate impact of plastic production is significant. Projections from the World Energy Council suggest that if plastics production and incineration continue to increase, greenhouse gas emissions will rise to 49 million metric tons by 2030 and 91 million metric tons by 2050. Incineration, a common method for disposing of plastic waste, releases thousands of pollutants into the atmosphere, disproportionately affecting communities of color and low-income populations living near incineration facilities.
Additionally, plastic pollution exacerbates the impacts of climate change. Microplastics, for example, are ingested by plankton, reducing their growth and the efficiency of photosynthesis. This could degrade plankton's ability to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, as the ocean has historically sequestered 30-50% of carbon dioxide emissions from human-related activities.
The production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a common type of plastic, involves the use of highly toxic chemicals, including vinyl chloride, a known human carcinogen. The burning of PVC creates another class of carcinogens, dioxins, further contributing to the toxic pollution associated with plastic production and disposal.
To address the climate impacts of plastic production, systemic shifts are needed to slow the growth of plastic production. This includes reducing overall plastic use, eliminating non-essential plastics, and transitioning to bio-based feedstocks to reduce emissions during the refining stage. Without such changes, the massive production of plastic, driven by the global demand for fossil fuels, will continue to exacerbate climate change.
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Plastic waste and carcinogens
Plastic waste is a growing global concern, with an estimated 8.3 billion tons of plastic produced, 3/4 of which is waste. The production, use, and disposal of plastics are causing significant harm to human health and the environment. Plastic waste is linked to cancer-causing chemicals, with residents living near plastic production and waste disposal sites experiencing increased health risks, including various cancers.
The dangers of plastic waste are evident throughout its life cycle, from extraction to disposal. Coal miners, oil workers, and those involved in plastic production are at a heightened risk of harm. The report highlights increased mortality from traumatic injuries, silicosis, cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, and other health issues. Plastic production workers face an elevated risk of cancer, including leukaemia, lymphoma, brain cancer, and breast cancer.
Microplastics, particles smaller than 5mm that shed from degrading plastics, pose a significant threat to human health. They are ubiquitous in the environment, found in the air, water, and food we consume. Studies indicate that microplastics can cause oxidative damage, DNA damage, endocrine disruption, and changes in gene activity, all of which are risk factors for cancer development. Microplastics have been detected in human breast milk and infant stool, raising concerns about their impact on vulnerable populations.
Additionally, chemicals in microplastics, such as BPA, phthalates, and heavy metals, are known or suspected endocrine disruptors and can interfere with the nervous and reproductive systems. While the specific health consequences of microplastics exposure are still being investigated, their presence in the human body and potential for harm is undeniable.
The impact of plastic waste extends beyond human health, contributing to climate change and disrupting marine ecosystems. As plastic waste breaks down, it releases greenhouse gases, and microplastics interfere with marine microorganisms' ability to sequester carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. The accumulation of plastic waste and its toxic effects on the environment further exacerbate the health risks for humans and other organisms.
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Plastic additives and endocrine disruption
Plastic is known to contain and leach hazardous chemicals, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). EDCs are chemicals that interfere with the body's hormone systems and can have detrimental effects on health, including cancer, diabetes, reproductive issues, and neurological damage in developing children and foetuses.
EDCs are lipophilic, meaning they can combine with dissolved fats, leading to exposure through oils in sweat, skin contact, and fatty foods. These chemicals can leach from plastic food packaging and containers into the food they contain. EDCs can also enter the body through drinking water, as demonstrated by a study that found higher phthalate levels in the urine of pregnant women.
Bisphenols, a type of EDC, are commonly found in reusable food and beverage containers, water bottles, food can linings, and plastic water pipes. Other EDCs include alkylphenols, found in pesticides and detergents, and phthalates, which are used to increase flexibility and reduce brittleness in plastics.
The production, use, and disposal of plastics can result in exposure to EDCs. For example, the burning of PVC plastic creates dioxins, a potent class of carcinogens. The dramatic growth in plastic production is expected to exacerbate EDC exposure, with an anticipated increase of 30-36% in the next six years.
Biodegradable plastics, often promoted as more ecological, contain similar chemical additives and exhibit endocrine-disrupting effects. Over 1,000 manufactured chemicals in use today are suspected EDCs, with more being created constantly.
While some studies suggest that certain chemicals found in plastics may have cancer-causing effects, these experiments are often conducted on animals or in lab settings, which may not accurately reflect everyday human exposure. However, the weight of evidence suggests a direct cause-and-effect link between EDCs in plastics and adverse health impacts on the endocrine system.
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Plastic exposure in vulnerable populations
Plastic exposure is a serious concern for vulnerable populations, including children, women, workers in the waste sector, and marginalised communities. These groups are at heightened risk of adverse health effects due to their proximity to plastic production, waste incineration, and environmental injustice.
Children are particularly vulnerable to plastic exposure during their early developmental years. They explore the world by crawling, touching, and putting objects in their mouths, which can include plastic items. This behaviour, combined with their higher ingestion and inhalation of air, food, and liquids per body weight, increases their exposure to microplastics and potential toxins. Studies have found that infants have the highest exposure to inhalation of microplastics, followed by preschool and older children. The dermal barrier in young children is also not fully developed, making them more susceptible to trans-dermal absorption of microplastics.
Pregnant women are another vulnerable group. Studies have detected measurable levels of bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical commonly found in plastics, in maternal blood, fetal blood, placenta, and breast milk. BPA exposure during pregnancy can have potential impacts on both the mother and the developing fetus, although the specific effects are still being studied.
Workers in the plastic and waste sectors are also at risk of plastic exposure. They may be exposed to toxic chemicals during the extraction, manufacture, transportation, and waste management stages of plastic production. This exposure can have respiratory, cardiovascular, and other health consequences.
Marginalised communities, particularly those living near oil refineries or extraction sites, are disproportionately affected by plastic pollution. The production and incineration of plastics release toxic chemicals, contributing to increased risks of various cancers, including breast, bladder, colon, lung, lymphoma, and prostate cancers.
While the specific mechanisms are still being studied, it is clear that plastic exposure poses a significant health risk to these vulnerable populations, underscoring the urgent need for further research and policy interventions to protect these groups.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic is harmful to human health in a variety of ways, including cancers, lung disease, birth defects, asthma, childhood leukaemia, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer. Plastic production and destruction also contribute to climate change and plastic waste releases greenhouse gases.
Microplastics have been observed to be potential carcinogenic/mutagenic substances that may cause DNA damage, leading to carcinogenesis. Chemicals in microplastics such as BPA, phthalates, and heavy metals are known or suspected to cause disruption to nervous, reproductive, and other systems.
Individuals can take steps to reduce their exposure to plastics, such as using stainless-steel water bottles, avoiding plastic water bottles, and not microwaving food in plastic containers. Governments and policymakers also have a responsibility to regulate chemicals in plastics and reduce plastic waste.
